Edward Gregson announced as composer in residence to the Black Dyke Band
25th January 2016
Edward Gregson is well known to the Black Dyke Band, having begun his association with the band in 1971 with the premier of his Horn Concerto. Other brass band works have followed, but his latest work for the band, the ‘Cornet Concerto’ written for Richard Marshall (principal Cornet), follows a distinguished line of compositions for soloist and brass band.
The composer commented, “I am delighted to acknowledge my long-standing relationship with Nicholas Childs and the Black Dyke Band by taking on the position of Composer in Residence. In 2012 the band co-commissioned my most recent brass band work, Of Distant Memories, and the new commission to write a Cornet Concerto for Richard Marshall, undoubtedly one of the finest cornet soloists in the world, is a challenge I look forward to undertaking.”
Music Director Nicholas Childs also commented, “Richard Marshall will be the featured soloist which is fitting to acknowledge his terrific contribution as principal cornet for the past decade at Black Dyke” The World Première will be at the European Gala Concert in Lille 2016, with the U.K. Première being part of the Black Dyke Festival in Leeds on 5th June 2016. This new initiative is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
The 160 year old Black Dyke Band is the most recorded band in the world with over 350 recordings and growing every year. It is also the most successful contesting band in the world having won the European Championships, the British Open, and the National Championships of Great Britain on many occasions. In addition, the band has also commissioned and premiered works by many British composers, including Edward Gregson, James MacMillan, Philip Wilby, and Peter Graham.
Other major upcoming performances of Gregson’s work include a one-day festival of his work hosted by the Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces in April, and a performance of Dream Song by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in June, conducted by Bramwell Tovey.
